First Look: New Vegan Restaurant Crossroads in Los Angeles

Note: First Looks give previews of new drinks and menus we're curious about. Since they are arranged photo shoots and interviews with bars and restaurants, we do not make critical evaluations or recommendations.

Vegan chef Tal Ronnen, who's cooked for stars like Ellen and Oprah, is now opening his first restaurant Crossroads, centrally located in West Hollywood on Melrose Ave. He met his executive chef Scot Jones years ago and went on to collaborate with him on recepies for the 21 Day Vegan Cleanse, documented by Oprah in 2008. Rumors of their new Los Angeles restaurant have circulated since2011.

"Crossroads is a place where vegans and carnivores can dine together...and a full bar which has never been done at a vegan restaurant before," said Ronnen. The inspiration came from dishes that he ate when he became vegan and the foods he missed (ahem, oysters) when adopting this new diet. Look for creative plant-based small plates like "Artichoke Oysters" and Kite Hill Cheese, Ronnen's new line of cultured nut milks cheeses.

Chef Tal Ronnen visiting his guests

Complementing the vegan menu, pastry chef Serafina Magnussen has developed an assortment of plant-based desserts and over in the bar, the cocktails are all made with seasonal ingredients and small batch spirits.

Crossroads

About the author: After nearly a decade in Brooklyn, Kelly Bone landed back in Los Angeles where she writes The Vegetarian Foodie. She spends the rest of her time designing office cubicles... you might be sitting in one right now! Follow her on Twitter at @TheVegFoodie

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About the Author

After stints in the Bay Area and Brooklyn, Kelly landed back in her hometown of Los Angeles. She writes the blog The Vegetarian Foodie and contributes to other local food publications. In 2011 began writing Los Angeles Slice coverage for the columns Top This and Daily Slice. She is seriously obsessed with all things pizza and is constantly seeking the next great slice.